Home Sweet Home! A New Chapter Begins in Parramore

Last updated on October 19, 2026

For longtime Orlando resident Carlos Santos, the dream of homeownership is now a reality, thanks in part to the City of Orlando's Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). There's something special about having a place to call your own. For Carlos Santos, that feeling is even sweeter as he settles into his new home in downtown Orlando's Parramore neighborhood. 

Santos has lived in Orlando for most of his life and has worked as a licensed massage therapist for more than 17 years. While homeownership has always been a goal, finding the right opportunity made all the difference. 

Through the city's CRA Homes program, Santos purchased a newly constructed home on Conley Street with the help of $110,000 in down payment assistance. 

For Santos, the opportunity means more than owning a house. It's about having a place where he and his family can create memories, enjoy time together and build a future. When searching for a home, Santos knew he wanted to stay connected to the people and places that matter most. Parramore checked those boxes. With family and work nearby, along with a beautiful neighborhood park, the location offered the convenience and sense of community he was looking for. 

Now, he's looking forward to the little things that make a house feel like home, from picking out furniture to creating new family traditions. And his favorite feature? The extra storage space above the garage! 

Santos' home is one of three newly constructed Model B Phase 3 homes developed through the City of Orlando's CRA as part of its continued investment in quality, affordable housing in Parramore. 

Each home is priced at $380,000, with eligible homebuyers able to receive up to $155,000 in down payment assistance. Eligible first responders may also qualify for an additional $10,000. 

The other two Model B homes are currently in the closing process, and more opportunities are on the horizon! 

Construction of the next set of CRA homes, known as Model A, is expected to wrap up soon, with a homebuyer lottery anticipated in late 2026 or early 2027. 

These investments are about more than building houses. They're about creating opportunities for homeownership, strengthening neighborhoods and helping more people build their futures in downtown Orlando.